Mental Health Commission
The Aboriginal Mental Health Worker Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide guidance for Western Australian health and mental health services to strengthen the role and impact of Aboriginal Mental Health Workers (AMHW).
The Guidelines promote a coordinated, culturally responsive, and practical approach to workforce development and service delivery, emphasising evidence-based practice, the re-empowerment of Aboriginal people, and a shared commitment to making the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities a collective responsibility.
The Guidelines offer structured guidance, practical insights, and evidence-informed recommendations to support health service providers in effectively engaging, developing, and sustaining a culturally safe AMHW workforce.
The Guidelines are aligned with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. In particular, the effective engagement of AMHWs supports Outcome 14: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.
Development of the Guidelines
The development of the Guidelines was informed by the knowledge, expertise, and lived experience of those who have dedicated their lives to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and suicide prevention. The Guidelines are grounded in Aboriginal leadership and lived experience, with Aboriginal perspectives at the centre of its design, implementation, and intended outcomes.
Page last updated27 October 2026
